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At first sight, the unruly throngs pushing and shoving in a line that circled the block outside the newly christened American Eagle Outfitters Times Square epicenter in New York City on Tuesday night signaled some kind of khaki-short armageddon—like there was going to be a violent run to snap up the last hemp bracelet or cozy winter plaid from the store’s knotty-pine shelves. But no. The frenzy on the chilly November night was owed to a match made in point-of-purchase heaven: Leighton Meester was making her official pop-princess debut at A.E.'s new joint.

The clamoring group inside stood breathlessly—with little room to actually breathe—waiting for Meester to take the stage. Many were jostling for position, camera-ready, for what would be some epic Facebook posts later that night. The general question of the evening was less concerned with the gossip queen’s talent than: So what will she wear? Would she trot onstage all ruffled collars and grosgrain flourish à la Blair? Or would there be a Lady Gaga moment as on last Monday's episode?

In the end, the CW's perennial dark horse not only shed her headband but stomped on it, wrapped it in black leather, and burst onstage in bold psychedelic leggings and a black peekaboo halter, her lusty bug eyes coyly peeking out of some new (or temporary) bangs. She writhed and jived, angling over to current paramour Sebastian Stan and Gossip Girl co-stars Michelle Trachtenberg,Jessica Szohr, and Matthew Settle on the sidelines for moral support. Nudging up against Stan, we had to ask if there had been any private performances beforehand. "Not quite like this,” he said. “But she loves to sing, all the time and everywhere. So this was an inevitable moment."

But it was less a breakthrough moment than a sweet daydream that any Upper East Side queen bee would have—her own cheeky foray into pop music. Personally, I’m envisioning fewer live shows but perhaps more musical moments Mondays at 9/8 Central.